Martha in the kitchen, serving with her hands;
Occupied for Jesus, with her pots and pans.
Loving Him, yet fevered, burdened to the brim.
Careful, troubled Martha, occupied for Him.

Mary on the footstool, eyes upon her Lord;
Occupied with Jesus, drinking in His Word.
This the one thing needful, all else strangely dim;
Loving, resting Mary, occupied with Him.

So may we, like Mary, choose the better part;
Resting in His presence – hands and feet and heart;
Drinking in His wisdom, strengthened with His grace;
Waiting for the summons, eyes upon His face.

When it comes, we’re ready – spirit, will , and nerve;
Mary’ heart to worship, Martha’s hands to serve;
This the rightful order, as our lamps we trim –
Occupied with Jesus, then occupied for Him!

(LOIS REYNOLDS CARPENTER)

Are you a “Mary-like” disciple of the Lord Jesus? In a “Martha world” (so busy and hectic) we need to have a “Mary heart.” May God give us Mary’s heart to adore; Martha’s hands to serve.

We wrongly view success in terms of money, fame, or career success. But God views success in terms of godly, loving family relationships. I want to talk about how to raise godly grandchildren. I say grandchildren, rather than just children, because the real test of child rearing is the third generation, not just the second. Of course God wants us to raise godly children. But the true test of the process is whether or not our children raise godly children. If the parents are spiritually lukewarm, the children often will be stone cold. The grandchildren will be completely pagan.

So how can we, as Christian parents, raise up godly generations? In Deuteronomy 6 Moses told Israel as the people prepared to enter the land of Canaan that they would face many temptations in the land. They would be surrounded by pagans. Moses said to raise up godly grandchildren they must love God fervently, teach their children diligently, and live in the world carefully. The result is that it will be well with them under God’s blessing.

Remember, no one ever got to be 65 and said, “I wish I’d spent more time on my business.” But many lament that they neglected their families. True success is raising up godly children and grandchildren. To do it, you must love God fervently, teach your children diligently, and live in the world carefully.

How is your walk with the Lord today? Is it vital and growing, or lukewarm? Are you diligently involved in teaching your children and grandchildren the things of God? Are you being careful to maintain a distinctive lifestyle and not get sucked into the world system? If you’ve been negligent, the Lord is rich in mercy if you will turn back to Him today. (STEVEN J. COLE)

A home can be a godly one or an ungodly one depending on who is in charge, the one in control and the one ruling and directing the affairs of the home. Where Jesus is in charge, then it will be a godly home. All things will be done in the fear of God. These are God’s expectations from our homes. In fact, godly and healthy homes are God’s plan and purpose for all people.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY AND HEALTHY HOME:

1. It is a home built on love, truth and the perfect will of God.
2. It is where Jesus Christ is the Lord, being served and worshipped in spirit and in truth. (John 4: 23).
3. It is where the husband is loving, kind, compassionate and faithful to his wife and children. (1 Peter 3: 7).
4. It is where the wife is devoted, loving, faithful and submissive to her husband. (1 Peter 3: 1-6).
5. It is where children are brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6: 1-4).
6. It is where the couple is united in love and is ready to make the home a haven of peace on earth. (1 Peter 3: 8-11).
7. It is a godly and healthy home built on love that will not give up on the other in spite of disappointment, hurts, mistakes and failures. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7). (SOURCE UNKNOWN)